Mac and Cheese…

Do you know how to transform a box of $1 white mac and cheese into a delicious gourmet meal? Try this out...it will help you.

Basil and Garlic White Mac and Cheese

1 box white mac and cheese
3 tablespoons infused olive oil, your favourite flavour (see Nailah's Note)
1 clove of garlic, minced
5 leaves basil, cut into ribbons (see Nailah's Note on post "A great weeknight meal.")

Prepare the macaroni, drain. Make the cheese sauce, lower heat to med-low.
Add the garlic, whisk. Add infused olive oil. Whisk until all combined. Mix-in the basil. Add the macaroni into the pot mix until all combined.

Nailah's Note

I love infused olive oils. I love to make my own, if you can't find it in grocery stores; try this recipe.

Garlic and Shallot Olive Oil

2 small shallots
2 cloves of garlic, quartered
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Put olive oil in a small sautè pan. Turn on heat to med-low sautè the shallots and garlic for 3 minutes. Keep the oil and put the garlic and shallots in a stir-fry or on a pizza.

Banana Split!

This morning, l made some banana splits! Banana Splits for breakfast you ask? YES! When the ice cream is replaced with banana pancakes!

Banana Splits: Breakfast Version

Pancakes:

Pancake mix (prepared to make 6 large pancakes)
2 small or 1 large ripe banana(s)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
2 teaspoons almond extract
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar

Condiments:

1/4 cup nutella
1/4 cup natural smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup raspberries

Pancakes: Beat the bananas with the almond extract for 2 minutes until smooth. Add the prepared pancake mix and brown sugar beat for another 30 seconds. Mix in the chocolate chips. Cook the pancakes on med-low heat 1/4 cup at a time. (will make AT LEAST 6) Flip when the raw side starts bubbling. The opposite side should be golden brown.

Condiments: Mix the nutella and peanut butter on med heat in a small sauce pan. Whisk until smooth (if you wait even just a little longer than smooth, it will turn dry. You can try to save it by adding milk by the tablespoon and whisking it fast.) Put the warm chocolate peanut butter and the raspberries in condiment bowls.
Let everyone build their own style of banana spilts.

Pumpkin Tarts.

My Mama's friend, Annie, well I could say she is my friend too, gave me this recipe.

Pumpkin Tarts.

Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
35-40 Tart shells
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions
MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in
large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in
evaporated milk.

POUR into tart shells.

BAKE in preheated 450° F oven for 7 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F;
bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out
clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top
with whipped cream before serving.

Kale Chips.

I love making kale chips!! I was going to wait until I made them again to share the recipe with you, but I couldn't wait! I actually got Myles into kale with these chips. Now, trust me, you will get HOOKED to these chips. One time you make them, you'll make them all the time! You could season them with any seasoning mix you want, I just go with the old salt and pepper.

Kale Chips

1 bunch of kale
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Preheat the oven to 350F.
Cut the kale in to 1 1/2 inch pieces.
Place the kale on a cookie sheet and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Put in the oven for 12-15 min.
You don't even have to flip them!

Feliz Cumpleaños Nailah!!

On May 24, I had a Mexican birthday party. I invited 4 friends over for a birthday party. Sophia, Amanda, Zara and Taylor. We hung out at my house for almost 2 hours. We took turns dancing with my friend Zara. Papa made Margaritas with Margarita mix and 7up. We also made butterfly bag charm craft. Then, at 5:30 we headed to the Mexican restaurant. Little Mexican Cantina in Steveston on Chatham. We went in, they gave me a Sombrero, and all my friends took turns playing with it. We got to each make taco bowls and soft tacos. They put out cheese, chicken, salsa and lettuce. Everyone had fries for their side dish. (So Mexican!! Sì?) For me they made sautéed shrimp with cilantro. If you don't know, I am a pesctitarian. They normally don't do that at the restaurant. Zara kept saying "I could live here, eat this all food for free!" After, we went back to my house and opened PRESENTS!! I got some AWESOME gifts. Taylor got me a $50 SHOP! gift card. Zara got a chef notebook and a Lego Friends set Café edition. Sophia got me a Paris travel bag and four t-shirts. And…Amanda got me a sorbet, frozen yogurt and ice cream maker! We had strawberry shortcake for dessert!! My favorite!! The last guests left at 9:45!

May 25 2003

May 25 2003 is an awesome day. Guess what???? Giada got married!!! On May 25 2003, she married Todd Thompson. A designer for Anthropoligie. They were dating since July 1989. They had their first child, Jade Marie De Laurentiis-Thompson, On March 29 2008. Jade is named after her mom. "Giada" is "Jade" in Italian. Anything else about May 25 2003? Nope. Wait! Oh yeah, I was born on May 25 2003.

Yum.....Easy Casual Family Restaurant

Yesterday, I had 2 dress rehearsals for the show today. In between both rehearsals, Mama took me for lunch. We went to a nice, casual diner. Diner No. 1 in Steveston. (Right beside Steveston Bakery across the street from McDonalds.) We shared a fried haddock burger and a veggie burger. There was an oyster burger on the menu, after all me and Mama have been searching for the best oyster burger. So far we have had 2. One at Chewies Kitsilano, see blog post 'Chewies.' and the other one, at a food truck in downtown called 'The Kaboom Box'. Sadly they were out of oysters to make the oyster burger at Diner No. 1.
We asked for Crispy Onions on top of the veggie burger (Yum!) We each had fries and coleslaw. There is an easy family diner.